Spatial Distribution of Trehalose Dihydrate Crystallization in Tablets by X-ray Diffractometry.

Crystallization of trehalose dihydrate (C12H22O11·2H2O) was induced by storing tablets of amorphous anhydrous trehalose (C12H22O11) at 65% RH (RT). Our goal was to evaluate the advantages and limitations of two approaches of profiling spatial distribution of drug crystallization in tablets. The extent of crystallization, as a function of depth, was determined in tablets stored for different time-periods. The first approach was glancing angle X-ray diffractometry, where the penetration depth of X-rays was modulated by the incident angle. Based on the mass attenuation coefficient of the matrix, the depth of X-ray penetration was calculated as a function of incident angle, which in turn enabled us to "calculate" the extent of crystallization to different depths. In the second approach, the tablets were split into halves and the split surfaces were analyzed directly. Starting from the tablet surface and moving toward the midplane, XRD patterns were collected in 36 "regions", in increments of 0.05 mm. The results obtained by the two approaches were, in general, in good agreement. Additionally, the results obtained were validated by determining the "average" crystallization in the entire tablet by using synchrotron radiation in the transmission mode. The glancing angle method could detect crystallization up to ∼650 µm and had a "surface bias". Being a nondestructive technique, this method will permit repeated analyses of the same tablet at different time points, for example, during a stability study. However, split tablet analyses, while a "destructive" technique, provided comprehensive and unbiased depth profiling information.

The role of polymer concentration on the molecular mobility and physical stability of nifedipine solid dispersions.

We investigated the influence of polymer concentration (2.5-20% w/w) on the molecular mobility and the physical stability in solid dispersions of nifedipine (NIF) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). With an increase in polymer concentration, the α-relaxation times measured by broadband dielectric spectroscopy were longer, which reflects a decrease in molecular mobility. In the supercooled state, at a given temperature (between 55 and 75 °C), the relaxation time increased linearly as a function of polymer concentration (2.5-20% w/w). The temperature dependence of the relaxation time indicated that the fragility of the dispersion, and by extension the mechanism by which the polymer influences the relaxation time, was independent of polymer concentration. The time for NIF crystallization also increased as a function of polymer concentration. Therefore, by using molecular mobility as a predictor, a model was built to predict NIF crystallization from the dispersions in the supercooled state. The predicted crystallization times were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.

Physico-chemical characterisation, cytotoxic activity, and biocompatibility studies of tamoxifen-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles prepared via a temperature-modulated solidification method.

CONTEXT: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can efficiently and efficaciously incorporate anti-cancer agents. OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterise tamoxifen (TAM)-loaded SLNs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glyceryl monostearate, Tween-80, and trehalose were used in SLNs. SLNs were tested via dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). RESULTS: Characterisation studies revealed SLNs of about 540 nm with a negative surface charge and confirmed the entrapment of TAM in the SLNs. The entrapment efficiency was estimated to be 60%. DISCUSSION: The in vitro drug release profile demonstrated a gradual increase followed by a release plateau for several days. A drug concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxic activity was observed when the SLNs were evaluated in cell cultures. CONCLUSION: Biocompatible and stable lyophilised SLNs were successfully prepared and found to possess properties that may be utilised in an anti-cancer drug delivery system.

Pushing the Limits of Molecular Crystal Structure Determination From Powder Diffraction Data in High-Throughput Chemical Environments.

Crystal structure determination from powder diffraction data (SDPD) using the DASH software package is evaluated for data recorded using transmission capillary, transmission flat plate, and reflection flat plate geometries on a selection of pharmaceutical compounds. We show that transmission capillary geometry remains the best option when crystal structure determination is the primary consideration and, as expected, reflection flat plate geometry is not recommended for SDPD because of preferred orientation effects. However, the quality of crystal structures obtained from transmission plate instruments can be excellent, and the convenience factor for sample preparation, throughput, and retrieval is higher than that of transmission capillary instruments. Indeed, it is possible to solve crystal structures within an hour of a polycrystalline sample arriving in the laboratory, which has clear implications for making small-molecule crystal structures more routinely available to the practicing laboratory medicinal chemist. With appropriate modifications to crystal structure determination software, it can be imagined that SDPD could become a rapid turn-around walk-up analytical service in high-throughput chemical environments.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Chemistry of Tasimelteon, a Melatonin Agonist, in Its Anhydrous and Hemihydrate Forms.

Two crystalline forms of tasimelteon, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of non-24-h sleep-wake disorder, have been studied by single crystal and powder diffraction analyses, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, spectroscopic, and optical methods. The synthetic method forming tasimelteon is described in detail, with its full analytical, spectroscopic, and enantiopurity characterization. Solid tasimelteon hemihydrate, C15H19NO2·0.5H2O, is tetragonal with a = b = 7.3573(2) Å, c = 52.062(2) Å, V = 2818.1(2) Å3; Z = 8. Its crystal structure has been solved and refined in the P43212 space group, showing the occurrence of polymeric (H-bonded) slabs, thanks to the presence of water molecule (OW) tetrahedrally linked to 4 distinct tasimelteon molecules in a N2(OW)O2 fashion. The anhydrous form of tasimelteon, C15H19NO2, crystallizes in the monoclinic P21 space group, with a = 11.130(4), b = 4.907(2), c = 12.230(6) Å, ß = 91.03(3)°, V = 667.8(5) Å3; Z = 2. Thanks to the availability of good-quality specimens, the structure of the latter phase was solved by conventional single-crystal diffraction analysis, showing short intermolecular C=O…H-N interactions between (translationally related) tasimelteon molecules, forming, in the crystal, well-defined chains running along the b axis. The morphology of the 2 crystal forms has been analyzed by the means of optical microscopy and particle size distribution analysis. Worthy of note, the newly determined crystal structures enable the successful usage of full-pattern matching X-ray-based quantitative analyses of batches of industrial interest, in search for contamination or phase stability issues.

Improving the Carprofen Solubility: Synthesis of the Zn2Al-LDH Hybrid Compound.

The development of efficient strategies for drug delivery is considerably desired. Indeed, often several issues such as the drug solubility, the control of the drug release rate, the targeted delivery of drugs, the drug bioavailability, and the minimization of secondary effects still present great obstacles. Different methodologies have been proposed, but the use of nano-hybrids compounds that combine organic and inorganic substances seems particularly promising. An interesting inorganic host is the layered double hydroxide (LDH) with a sheets structure and formula [M2+1-x M3+x (OH)2](An-)x/n yH2O (M2+ = Zn, Mg; M3+ = Al; An- = nitrates, carbonates, chlorides). The possibility to exchange these counterions with drug molecules makes these systems ideal candidates for the drug delivery. In this article, we synthesize by co-precipitation method the hybrid compound Carprofen-Zn2Al-LDH. Carprofen, a poorly soluble anti-inflammatory drug, could also benefit of the association with a natural antacid such as LDH, to reduce the gastric irritation after its administration. Through X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), we could verify the effective drug intercalation into LDH. The dissolution tests clearly demonstrate a significant improvement of the drug release rate when carprofen is in the form of hybrid compound.

Development of a Novel Amorphous Agomelatine Formulation With Improved Storage Stability and Enhanced Bioavailability.

The present work describes the development of a novel formulation of amorphous agomelatine (AGM) that exhibits enhanced in vitro dissolution rate and bioavailability, as well as improved storage stability. AGM was loaded on a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose with a high specific surface area excipient, namely colloidal silicon dioxide, employing a wet granulation method, and the resultant AGM granules were subsequently formulated into immediate release film-coated tablets. Modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry, hot-state light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance FTIR, and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the active pharmaceutical ingredient existed primarily in the amorphous state within the prepared formulations, with some crystals of polymorph I also present. Accelerated stability studies for up to 6 months in alu-alu blisters showed good physicochemical stability during storage. Finally, in vitro dissolution studies and clinical trials in healthy human volunteers showed a remarkable increase in the in vitro dissolution rate and a ∼1.5-fold increase in bioavailability, respectively, compared to the marketed product.

Modeling and Prediction of Drug Dispersability in Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Using a Molecular Descriptor.

The expansion of a novel in silico model for the prediction of the dispersability of 18 model compounds with polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer is described. The molecular descriptor R3m (atomic mass weighted 3rd-order autocorrelation index) is shown to be predictive of the formation of amorphous solid dispersions at 2 drug loadings (15% and 75% w/w) using 2 preparation methods (melt quenching and solvent evaporation using a rotary evaporator). Cosolidified samples were characterized using a suite of analytical techniques, which included differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, pair distribution function analysis, polarized light microscopy, and hot stage microscopy. Logistic regression was applied, where appropriate, to model the success and failure of compound dispersability in polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer. R3m had combined prediction accuracy greater than 90% for tested samples. The usefulness of this descriptor appears to be associated with the presence of heavy atoms in the molecular structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and their location with respect to the geometric center of the molecule. Given the higher electronegativity and atomic volume of these types of atoms, it is hypothesized that they may impact the molecular mobility of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or increase the likelihood of forming nonbonding interactions with the carrier polymer.

Evaluating Suspension Formulations of Theophylline Cocrystals With Artificial Sweeteners.

Pharmaceutical cocrystals have garnered significant interest as potential solids to address issues associated with formulation development of drug substances. However, studies concerning the understanding of formulation behavior of cocrystals are still at the nascent stage. We present results of our attempts to evaluate suspension formulations of cocrystals of an antiasthmatic drug, theophylline, with 2 artificial sweeteners. Stability, solubility, drug release, and taste of the suspension formulations were evaluated. Suspension that contained cocrystal with acesulfame showed higher drug release rate, while a cocrystal with saccharin showed a significant reduction in drug release rate. The cocrystal with saccharin was found stable in suspension for over 9 weeks at accelerated test condition; in contrast, the cocrystal with acesulfame was found unstable. Taste analysis using an electronic taste-sensing system revealed improved sweetness of the suspension formulations with cocrystals. Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index with a short half-life which necessitates frequent dosing. This adversely impacts patient compliance and enhances risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular adverse effects. The greater thermodynamic stability, sweetness, and sustained drug release of the suspension formulation of theophylline-saccharin could offer an alternative solution to the short half-life of theophylline and make it a promising formulation for treating asthmatic pediatric and geriatric patients.

Crystalline Polymorphism Emerging From a Milling-Induced Amorphous Form: The Case of Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride.

In this paper, solid-state amorphization induced by mechanical milling is shown to be a useful tool to explore the polymorphism of drugs and their mechanism of devitrification. We show in particular how the recrystallization of amorphous chlorhexidine dihydrochloride obtained by milling reveals a complex polymorphism that involves several polymorphic forms. Two new crystalline forms are identified, one of them appearing as a highly disordered precursor state which however clearly differs from the amorphous one. Several interpretations are here proposed to describe the puzzling nature of this phase. In addition, the possibility to amorphize chlorhexidine dihydrochloride by milling allowed to determine the main physical characters of the amorphous state which cannot be obtained through the usual thermal quench of the liquid because of a strong chemical degradation occurring on melting.

Synthesis of a Glibenclamide Cocrystal: Full Spectroscopic and Thermal Characterization.

A cocrystal of glibenclamide, an antidiabetic drug classified as type II compound according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, has been synthesized using tromethamine as coformer in 1:1 molar ratio, by slow solvent evaporation cocrystalization. The cocrystal obtained was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, Raman, mid infrared, and near-infrared spectroscopy. The results consistently show the formation of a cocrystal between active pharmaceutical ingredients and conformer with the synthons corresponding to hydrogen bonding between hydrogen in amines of tromethamine and carbonyl and sulfonyl groups in glibenclamide.

Quantitative Monitoring the Anti-Solvent Crystallization and Storage Process for Nandrolone by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

A novel hydrate (SH2O) of nandrolone was prepared by anti-solvent methods. The crystallization processes with 2 schemes (A and B) were monitored by in-line near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The amounts of SH2O in powder samples obtained by the anti-solvent crystallization and storage process were quantified by NIR combined with chemometrics methods. In-line NIR spectra from 4500 to 8000 cm-1 were chosen to capture physicochemical changes during the whole crystallization process. The combination of the principal component results with offline characterization (scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, NIR) data showed that both schemes yielded high purity SH2O products, but the crystallization speed of scheme B was significantly accelerated. It was demonstrated that in-line NIR spectroscopy combined with principal component analysis can be very useful to monitor in real time and control the anti-solvent crystallization process. Moreover, the solubility and the solid-state transformation of nandrolone under different storage conditions were investigated. The apparent solubility of SH2O was 2.19-2.44 times of Form I, and SH2O was relatively stable when stored at a high relative humidity and temperature below 25°C.

Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Salt Screening.

The present study reports a high-throughput screening method for the salt formation of amine-containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) based on fluorescence measurements. A free form amine API was alkynylated by a solid-vapor reaction using propargyl bromide, and a fluorescent compound was produced by a subsequent reaction using 9-azidomethylanthracene. In contrast, salts were inert to propargyl bromide; thus, no fluorescence was observed. Samples for salt screening were prepared by grinding haloperidol with various counter acids, and these mixtures were derivatized in a 96-well microplate to determine whether the salt formation had occurred between haloperidol and the counter acids. Samples that turned into fluorescent and nonfluorescent were confirmed to be free form and salt form, respectively, using powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, our method adequately functions as an indicator of the salt formation of amine APIs. Further, this method allows for the rapid evaluation of the salt formation of APIs using 96-well microplates without the need for special reagents or techniques; thus, it is valuable for the discovery of an optimal salt form of newly developed amine APIs in the pharmaceutical industry.

Design, Synthesis, Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of a New Multitarget 2-Thienyl-N-Acylhydrazone Derivative.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic cardiovascular disease that displays inflammatory components, which contributes to the difficulty of adequate treatment with the available therapeutic arsenal. In this context, the N-acylhydrazone derivative LASSBio-1359 was previously described as a multitarget drug candidate able to revert the events associated with the progression of PAH in animal models. However, in spite of having a dual profile as PDE4 inhibitor and adenosine A2A receptor agonist, LASSBio-1359 does not present balanced potencies in the modulation of these two targets, which difficult its therapeutic use. In this paper, we describe the design concept of LASSBio-1835, a novel structural analogue of LASSBio-1359, planned by exploiting ring bioisosterism. Using X-ray powder diffraction, calorimetric techniques, and molecular modeling, we clearly indicate the presence of a preferred synperiplanar conformation at the amide function, which is fixed by an intramolecular 1,5-N∙∙∙S σ-hole intramolecular interaction. Moreover, the evaluation of LASSBio-1835 (4) as a PDE4 inhibitor and as an A2A agonist confirms it presents a more balanced dual profile, being considered a promising prototype for the treatment of PAH.

Hot Melt Extrusion: Highlighting Physicochemical Factors to Be Investigated While Designing and Optimizing a Hot Melt Extrusion Process.

Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a well-accepted and extensively studied method for preparing numerous types of drug delivery systems and dosage forms. It offers several advantages: no solvents are required, it is easy to scale up and employ on the industrial level, and, in particular, it offers the possibility of improving drug bioavailability. HME involves the mixing of a drug with one or more excipients, in general polymers and even plasticizers, which can melt, often forming a solid dispersion of the drug in the polymer. The molten mass is extruded and cooled, giving rise to a solid material with designed properties. This process, which can be realized using different kinds of special equipment, may involve modifications in the drug physicochemical properties, such as chemical, thermal and mechanical characteristics thus affecting the drug physicochemical stability and bioavailability. During process optimization, the evaluation of the drug solid state and stability is thus of paramount importance to guarantee stable drug properties for the duration of the drug product shelf life. This manuscript reviews the most important physicochemical factors that should be investigated while designing and optimizing a hot melt extrusion process, and by extension, during the different pre-formulation, formulation and process, and post-formulation phases. It offers a comprehensive evaluation of the chemical and thermal stability of extrudates, the solid physical state of extrudates, possible drug-polymer interactions, the miscibility/solubility of the drug-polymer system, the rheological properties of extrudates, the physicomechanical properties of films produced by hot melt extrusion, and drug particle dissolution from extrudates. It draws upon the last ten years of research, extending inquiry as broadly as possible.

Dry Mechanochemical Synthesis of Caffeine/Oxalic Acid Cocrystals and Their Evaluation by Powder X-Ray Diffraction and Chemometrics.

We report the effects of dry mechanochemical synthesis conditions on the crystallization of caffeine (CA) and oxalic acid (OX) 2:1 cocrystal. CA anhydrate and OX dihydrate were grinded at various temperatures, rotation speeds, and grinding time. The cocrystal was also synthesized by an organic solvent evaporation method, as a reference. The produced samples were measured by a powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The PXRD spectra suggest that the grinded cocrystal has a lower crystallinity than the evaporated one. The diffractograms for the cocrystals synthesized by 2 kinds of methods were further evaluated by multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares method. Sources of the mathematical models constructed were assigned to the cocrystal and unreacted mixture of CA and OX dihydrate. The present approach is concluded to be useful for the improvement of pharmaceutical property because cocrystallization is closely relating to the solubility characteristics, bioavailability, stability, and so on of drugs.

An Education Strategy to Respond to Medicine Inequality in Africa.

People living in Africa face a heavy and wide-ranging burden of disease that takes an incalculable toll on social and economic development as well as shortening life expectancy (life expectancy in Tanzania is about 60 vs. about 80 in the United States and Europe. Further, the pharmaceutical market in developing countries is immature and may not support quality medicines. In many cases, a tender system is used, and medicines are bought by the government at the lowest price. In addition to access to medicines, a number of pharmaceutical sciences problems are apparent. The availability of infrastructure and especially standard instruments such as HPLC and X-ray diffraction is minimal. Additionally, there is an important need to increase access to advanced education for men and women in Africa, especially access to state-of-the-art scientific education. Utilizing the mandate of Nelson Mandela, Purdue's conceptual approach has been to utilize education to combat these problems.

Mechanisms for Improved Hygroscopicity of L-Arginine Valproate Revealed by X-Ray Single Crystal Structure Analysis.

Valproic acid is widely used as an antiepileptic agent. Valproic acid is in liquid phase while sodium valproate is in solid phase at room temperature. Sodium valproate is hard to manufacture because of its hygroscopic and deliquescent properties. To improve these, cocrystal and salt screening for valproic acid was employed in this study. Two solid salt forms, l-arginine valproate and l-lysine valproate, were obtained and characterized. By using dynamic vapor sorption method, the critical relative humidity of sodium valproate, l-arginine valproate, and l-lysine valproate were measured. Critical relative humidity of sodium valproate was 40%, of l-lysine valproate was 60%, and of l-arginine valproate was 70%. Single-crystal X-ray structure determination of l-arginine valproate was employed. l-Lysine valproate was of low diffraction quality, and l-arginine valproate formed a 1:1 salt. Crystal l-arginine valproate has a disorder in the methylene carbon chain that creates 2 conformations. The carboxylate group of valproic acid is connected to the amino group of l-arginine. Crystalline morphologies were calculated from its crystal structure. Adsorption of water molecules to crystal facets was simulated by Material Studio. When comparing adsorption energy per site of these salts, sodium valproate is more capable of adsorption of water molecule than l-arginine valproate.

Isolation, Solubility, and Characterization of D-Mannitol Esters of 4-Methoxybenzeneboronic Acid.

The purpose of this study was to determine the aqueous solubility of a model phenyl boronic acid, 4-methoxybenzeneboronic acid, as a function of pH both in the absence and in the presence of varying D-mannitol concentration. Solid isolated D-mannitol esters were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray studies, and the boronic acid-to-D-mannitol ratio was quantified by HPLC. Hydrolysis of the monoester was studied using UV spectral differences between the monoester and the parent boronic acid. Two D-mannitol esters of 4-methoxybenzeneboronic acid were isolated. The triboronate ester was very insoluble whereas a symmetrical monoboronate monohydrate was also less soluble than the parent. Both esters were crystalline. The monoboronate monohydrate was, however, more soluble than the parent at alkaline pH values due to its lower pKa value (6.53) compared to the parent acid (9.41). Hydrolysis of the monoboronate was extremely fast when even small amount of water was added to dry acetonitrile solutions of the ester. The hydrolysis was buffer concentration dependent and apparent pH sensitive with hydrolysis accelerated by acid. Implications affecting the formulation of future boronic acid drugs are discussed.

The Influence of Mannitol Hemihydrate on the Secondary Drying Dynamics of a Protein Formulation: A Case Study.

The objective of this research was to study the atypical secondary drying dynamics observed during the freeze-drying of a formulation consisting of mannitol, disaccharide, and sodium chloride, where "bursts" of water vapor release were observed during secondary drying as detected by comparative pressure measurement. "Thief" samples were removed at the end of primary drying and during secondary drying as the shelf temperature was increased in a stepwise fashion. These samples were examined by X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis. From the X-ray powder diffraction data, we determined that mannitol crystallized predominantly as its hemihydrate. The physical state of mannitol changed from the hemihydrate form to anhydrous forms during secondary drying. Investigation of the effect of excipients on mannitol crystallization demonstrated that sodium chloride (at 225 mM, 1.3% w/v) had the greatest influence on hemihydrate crystallization, followed by trehalose and sucrose. However, only negligible hemihydrate formation was observed when mannitol was freeze-dried either by itself or in the presence of 150 mM sodium chloride and no hemihydrate in the presence of 75 mM sodium chloride. In general, a combination of a disaccharide and sodium chloride promoted the hemihydrate formation to a greater extent than the individual components. Comparative pressure measurement was demonstrated to be an effective tool to monitor mannitol hemihydrate dehydration during secondary drying.